best solid block carbon water filter? berkey VS aquasana

ztaitaifufu

i'm shopping around for a water filter for the apartment my husband and i share in nyc. we rent so we want a portable one. ie not a undersink or anything connected to a facet. after some searching i'm debating between the travel berkey (1.5 -228USD) berkey replacement filters (both types) are about 107USD for a 2pack (160USD if adding 2 flouride filters) but i'm not sure how long they last. "Each durable and efficient purification element will last for up to 3,000 gallons (6,000 gallons per set of two) and provide years of efficient water purification. What's more, the unique Black Berkey purification elements are self-sterilizing."
and the aquasana AQ-4000 Countertop 87USD they recommend replacing the cartridges after six months or 450 gallons, whichever comes first. Replacement filters cost $59.99

i don;t think the aquasana removes flouride, and also i can't find much info on berkey's certifications, external quality control ect. i've read that they are cheapest in the long run and that the filtration systems are highly rated worldwide (ie PC & british royal fam - but i want some hard data ! : )

should I get a berkey or aquasana? Anyone one know anything better (lifetime affordability, removing most environmental toxins flouride, vocs ect?

anyway what do you guys think? any pointers?
thanks !

katy84o

I have aquasana for my countertop and shower. I really like both of them. You are correct in the fact that aquasana doesn't remove flouride. I emailed the company and had to ask because I couldn't find it on their site anywhere. I've had our current filters in for about 7 months and the water still tastes great. I do need to change it though. My main reason for purchasing the aquasana was because at the time (about 4 years ago) it was the only filter built in america.

I don't know anything about the berkey so I can't do a comparison.

Cindy311

We've owned a Berkey for several years. My husband is big into filtering and the Berkey stood out for him. We live in a town where the water is heavily fluoridated and I can't taste any fluoride after the water is finished. I wish I could help you out with specs but I'm a total loss...:laugh:

ztaitaifufu

thanks so much ! Cindy311, how often do you and your husband have to replace the filters on the berkey? i'm a little confused about how long they last

ztaitaifufu

in case others see this thread and would find it useful, i found a cost analysis ; https://www.consciouswater.ca/berkey-water-purifiers/